Ducati 1198 R | Q & A with David James

The brand new 2010 Ducati 1198 R Corse Special Edition marks the historic introduction of a new Ducati Corse logo and features a factory team-style aluminium fuel tank, bold Corse colors and a special race kit. I had a little question and answer session with David James, Ducati International Press Manager, regarding the 1198 R.

Are there any engine differences at all between the 2009 1098R and the 2010 1198R?

Ducati: "Small production differences, nothing major."

What’s Ducati’s position relating to being a sub supplier of engines and parts to companies such as Bimota, NCR, Vyrus etc?

Ducati: "We don’t have a position. If another manufacturer wants to use our engines we ensure that our existing engine suits their chassis design and then the supply process begins."

"I know that these companies need some sort of deal or contract with Ducati to purchase engines and parts. How difficult/easy is it for an external company to do so?"

Ducati: "It’s not difficult. Obviously a supply deal is subject to terms of agreement, but we are very open to these kinds of projects."

Finally, what are you going to do with the 1198R now that it’s not quite up there in WSBK (at least in the first few races)?

Ducati: "Well… that’s not quite true. I think in Phillip Island the 1198 R ‘was not quite up there’ by 0.004 of a second in race 1 and a private 1198 R won race 2. And in Portimao Fabrizio qualified badly, Haga dislikes the track and a private 1198 R finished just 1.016 of a second behind the winner in race 2. So, it’s not quite over yet."

What are you going to do about it?

Ducati: "The same as we have always done throughout the history of the Superbike family… we develop. Each new generation of Ducati Superbike normally wins straight out of the box and then it gets harder each year as our competitors catch up. Then we repeat the process. The current model still has some years yet to run in its present life cycle so it won’t be easy on the track, but it never is easy! It will make for great racing, though."